Policy Text
Ref: CALEA
Standard 16.4.1-3
DEPARTMENTAL
GENERAL ORDER B-15 Index as: Police Cadet Program Effective Date:
11 Apr 08
Evaluation Coordinator:
Training Division Commander
Evaluation Due Date:
6 Oct 08
Automatic Revision Cycle:
3 Years
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POLICE CADET PROGRAM
The purpose of this order is to set forth polic ies and procedures rega rding cadet selection
criteria, duty assignments, and the administration of the De partmental Cadet Program.
I. OBJECTIVES The Police Cadet Program is designed for hardworking, ambitious young men
and women who desire to explore and develop career s in the field of law
enforcement while completing college degr ees. The primary intent of the program
is to assist cadets to co mplete college degrees while providing them with insight
into the law enforcement prof ession. The goal of the progr am is to prepare Cadets
for a law enforcement service career as a Police Officer Trainee or other position
with the Department. Cadets are hourly part-time employees who receive training
and experience in various as pects of the police service. Cadets may be rotated
through a variety of assignments desi gned to stimulate their interest in
professional police service. The program is comprised of intensive supervision,
counseling, training and evaluation to develop their leadership qualities and
prepare them for careers in law enforcement. Cadets shall be held strictly
accountable for courtesy and professional conduct.
II. APPLICATION AND SELECTION REQUIREMENTS A. The applicant must: 1. Be at least 17-1/2 at the time of application. (Must be between 18
and 20 1/2 at time of appointment).
2. Be attending an accredited college or university, or be a high school senior who plans to a ttend an accredited college or
university the next regular qua rter or semester following
graduation from high school. Hi gh school seniors must be
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-15 Effective Date:
11 Apr 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
registered at, or accepted for ad mittance to, an accredited college
or university by the time of appointment.
3. Possess a valid unrestric ted California driver's license or be
eligible to receive one by the date of appointment.
4. Meet medical criteria established for the Police Officer Trainee
position.
5. Be a United States citizen or be e ligible to apply for citizenship by
date of transition from cadet to Police Officer Trainee.
6. Have no felony conviction.
B. Qualified applicants must pass the following: 1. Written examination;
2. Physical agility test;
3. Oral and Personal History Questionnaire interviews;
4. Background investigation; and
5. Medical examination.
III. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS A. Except for summer break, cadets are expect ed to be enrolled in at least six
units of college courses that are academic in nature. Sports classes and
craft-type classes do not satisfy this requirement.
B. Police cadets are required to maintain an overall “C” (2.0 ) average in all
college studies. Failure to mainta in a “C” average may result in
termination from the program.
C. Cadets must submit an official copy of his/her college report card to the
Police Cadet Unit Coordinator at the e nd of each college quarter/semester
to document the scholastic requirement.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-15 Effective Date:
11 Apr 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
IV. AGE LIMIT
A. At age 21-1/2, cadets are required to apply as a Police Officer Trainee,
apply for an exte nsion, or resign from the program.
B. Extensions may be grante d to a Police Cadet to c ontinue in the program,
in two (2) year increments, up to the age of 25, based on any of the
following circumstances:
1. The cadet is making suitable progre ss but falls short of the criteria
for Police Officer Tr ainee appointment.
2. The cadet continues to attend coll ege and needs additional time to
complete his/her degree.
3. The cadet is committed to a law enforcement service career as a
Police Officer Trainee or othe r position with the Department.
C. The Police Cadet Unit C oordinator is responsib le for submitting any
extension recommendations to th e Training Division Commander for
approval.
D. Each case will be reviewed on an in dividual basis and approved only when
it clearly benefits the ne eds of the Department.
V. ASSIGNMENT AND TRAINING A. Police cadets shall be assigned perm anently to the Training Division.
B. Each Cadet shall purchase a cadet uni form described in Departmental
General Order (DGO) C-1, UNIFORM S. The Training Division shall
supply each cadet with the appropriate safety equipment described in DGO
C-4, SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
C. The Training Division shall conduct ba sic orientation training for all new
cadets. All cadets shall also receive prior training in any anticipated duties
that do not require sworn officer status.
D. Police cadets shall work an average of 19.5 hours or less per week and
attend college as provided in Part III of this order.
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER B-15 Effective Date:
11 Apr 08 OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
1. With advance permission of the Police Cadet Unit Coordinator,
cadets may work over